§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if any of the present issue of BE hearing aids feature compression; if it is his intention to invite tenders for this type of aid in the future; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many tenders were received for his Department's last purchase of BE hearing aids; and if he will break this figure down to show the number from the United Kingdom and the number from each other country;
(3) what was the average unit cost paid on the last delivery to his Department of a hearing aid in the ranges of BE 12, BE 32 and BE 52, respectively.
§ Mr. NewtonI am sorry that I cannot give the hon. Member the information he seeks. It is not available centrally. Contracts for the supply of National Health Service hearing aids are the responsibility of Mersey regional health authority. The hon. Member may therefore wish to contact the regional chairman.